Electronic shower user interface

ABSTRACT

An electronic shower system including a mixing valve operably coupled to a mixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a diverter valve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. A controller is in communication with the mixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interface includes a removable module in communication with the controller.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/347,377, filed May 21, 2010, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/487,271, filed May 17, 2011,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic shower system and, moreparticularly, to an electronic shower system including a user interfaceoperably coupled to a controller for controlling the delivery of waterto at least one water outlet.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, theelectronic shower system includes a mixing valve operably coupled to amixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a divertervalve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. The mixingvalve is configured to be in fluid communication with a hot water supplyand a cold water supply, and is configured to control the proportion ofhot water and cold water supplied to the diverter valve. A temperaturesensor is configured to measure the temperature of water exiting fromthe mixing valve. The diverter valve is configured to control the supplyof water to a plurality of fluid outlets and the flow rate of watersupplied thereto. A controller is in communication with the mixing valvedrive, the diverter valve drive, and the temperature sensor. A userinterface is in communication with the controller.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, anelectronic shower system includes a mixing valve fluidly coupled to ahot water supply and a cold water supply, a mixing valve drive operablycoupled to the mixing valve for controlling the proportion of water fromthe hot water supply and the cold water supply provided to an outlet,and a controller in electrical communication with the mixing valvedrive. The mixing valve drive includes an electric motor, a drive gearoperably coupled to the motor, a driven gear operably coupled to themixing valve, a transmission coupling the drive gear with the drivengear, and a manual override configured to disengage the transmissioncoupling to the drive gear in response to manual engagement from a user.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,an electronic shower system includes a mixing valve fluidly coupled to ahot water supply and a cold water supply, a mixing valve drive operablycoupled to the mixing valve for controlling the proportion of water fromthe hot water supply and the cold water supply provided to an outlet, acontroller in electrical communication with the mixing valve drive, anda battery operably coupled to the controller. The controller isconfigured to detect the loss of external power and the battery isconfigured to operate the mixing valve drive a predetermined timefollowing the detected loss of external power.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, an electronic shower system includes a mixing valve fluidlycoupled to a hot water supply and a cold water supply, a mixing valvedrive operably coupled to the mixing valve for controlling theproportion of water from the hot water supply and the cold water supplyprovided to an outlet, a diverter valve fluidly coupled to the mixingvalve, and a diverter valve drive operably coupled to the diverter valvefor controlling the delivery of water from the mixing valve to at leastone of a plurality of outlets. A controller is operably coupled to themixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interfaceincludes a temperature input portion and a flow rate input portion. Thetemperature input portion is configured to cause the controller tocontrol the mixing valve, and the flow rate input portion is configuredto cause the controller to control the diverter valve.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,an electronic shower system includes a mixing valve fluidly coupled to ahot water supply and a cold water supply, and a mixing valve driveoperably coupled to the mixing valve for controlling the proportion ofwater from the hot water supply and the cold water supply provided to anoutlet. A controller is in electrical communication with the mixingvalve drive. A main user interface module is in electrical communicationwith the controller. A remote user interface is in wirelesscommunication with the controller, wherein the controller providespriority to operation of the main user interface module over the remoteuser interface.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic shower systemof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic shower system of FIG. 1,shown installed in a shower enclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the electronic shower system ofFIG. 1, showing a shower wall in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the electronic shower system ofFIG. 1, showing the shower wall in phantom;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the electronic showersystem of FIG. 3, showing the shower wall in phantom;

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of the electronic showersystem of FIG. 3, showing the shower wall in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the rough assembly ofFIG. 5, showing the diverter valve body and the mixing valve bodyremoved from the housing;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the electronic shower system ofFIG. 1, showing a shower wall in cross-section;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2, showinga shower wall and liner;

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the mixing valvedrive and mixing valve of the electronic shower system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the mixing valve of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fluid mixershown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the mixing valve drive of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 is an exploded front perspective view of the mixing valve driveof FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front plan view of the mixing valve drive of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the mixing valve drive of FIG. 14,showing the front cover removed and the manual override partiallyexploded;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view of the manual override of FIG. 17,showing the manual override operably coupled to the mixing valve drivemotor;

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the manual override of FIG. 17,showing the manual override uncoupled from the mixing valve drive motor;

FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective view of the diverter valvedrive and diverter valve of the electronic shower system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the divertervalve body of FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the diverter valve of FIG.19;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 19;

FIGS. 24A-24H are views illustrating relative rotational orientations ofthe flow control plate of the diverter valve of FIG. 22 for differentflow conditions;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the main user interface of FIG. 5removed from the wall mounting bracket;

FIG. 26 is an exploded front perspective view of the main user interfaceof FIG. 5;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an illustrative main user interfacemodule mounted to a shower wall;

FIG. 28 is a front exploded perspective view of the main user interfaceof FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a rear exploded perspective view of the main user interfaceof FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the main user interface of FIG.27;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view of the main user interface takenalong line 32-32 of FIG. 27 and showing the hinge in an open position,wherein the escutcheon is nonparallel to the mounting base;

FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view of the escutcheon mounting assemblytaken along line 32-32 of FIG. 27 and showing the hinge in a closedposition, wherein the escutcheon is parallel to the mounting base;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the main user interface module of FIG.27;

FIG. 34 is an exploded front perspective view of the user interfacemodule of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is an exploded rear perspective view of the user interfacemodule of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 37-37 of FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of an illustrative diverter valveassembly and diverter user interface;

FIG. 39 is a rear perspective view of the diverter valve assembly anddiverter user interface of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a front exploded perspective view of the diverter userinterface and mount of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a rear exploded perspective view of the diverter userinterface and mount of FIG. 38;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the mounting configuration of theuser interface of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the diverter user interface andmount of FIG. 38;

FIG. 44 is a front perspective view of the hand shower of the electronicshower system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 45 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand showerof FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the hand shower userinterface;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the remote control assembly of theelectronic shower system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of the remote of FIG. 47;

FIGS. 49A-49J are flow charts showing an illustrative operation of themain user interface;

FIGS. 50A-50D are flow charts showing an illustrative operation of thehand shower user interface;

FIGS. 51A-51C are flow charts showing an illustrative method ofoperation of the remote user interface;

FIG. 52 shows an illustrative display on the touch screen of the mainuser interface, when the electronic shower system is in an OFF mode;

FIG. 53 shows an illustrative display on the touch screen of the mainuser interface, when the electronic shower system is in an ON mode, andincludes a mixing valve but no diverter valve; and

FIG. 54 shows another illustrative display on the touch screen of themain user interface, when the electronic shower system is in an ON mode,and includes a mixing valve and a diverter valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather,the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable oneskilled in the art to practice the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an electronic shower system 10 is shownas including a flow control assembly 12 and a main user interface 14operably coupled to the flow control assembly 12. The flow controlassembly 12 illustratively includes a valve assembly 16 operably coupledto a drive assembly 18.

The valve assembly 16 illustratively includes a mixing valve 20 fluidlycoupled to a hot water supply 22 through a hot water inlet conduit 24,and to a cold water supply 26 through a cold water inlet conduit 28. Asis known and further detailed herein, the mixing valve 20 includes arotatable valve member (e.g. a valve plate or disc) configured tocontrol the flow of hot water and cold water (including the relativeproportions therebetween) supplied to a mixed water outlet 30. Adiverter valve 32 is fluidly coupled to the mixing valve 20 through themixed water outlet 30. The diverter valve 32 is configured to controlthe flow of water from the mixed water outlet 30 to a first fluid outlet34 and a second fluid outlet 36. More particularly, the diverter valve32 directs water selectively to one or both of the outlets 34 and 36.The diverter valve 32 may also control the rate of water flow to theselected outlet(s) 34 and 36.

The drive assembly 18 illustratively includes a mixing valve drive 40and a diverter valve drive 42. The mixing valve 20 is operably coupledto the mixing valve drive 40, and the diverter valve 32 is operablycoupled to the diverter valve drive 42. A controller 44 is incommunication with both the mixing valve drive 40 and the diverter valvedrive 42. More particularly, the controller 44 communicates with theuser interfaces (including main user interface 14) and controlsoperation of the mixing valve drive 40 and the diverter valve drive 42and, hence, the mixing valve 20 and the diverter valve 32, respectively.Controller 44 illustratively includes a microprocessor and memory forprocessing and storing data. An external power supply 45 is coupled tothe controller 44. As further detailed herein, the controller 44 isconfigured to detect when power is being provided to the system 10 byexternal power supply 45. A temperature sensor 46 is configured tomeasure the temperature of water within the mixed water outlet 30 afterexiting from the mixing valve 20, and is in communication with thecontroller 44.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic shower system 10 may be receivedwithin a conventional shower enclosure 48, wherein the first fluidoutlet 34 comprises an overhead showerhead 50 and the second fluidoutlet 36 comprises a hand shower 52. The main user interface 14 may becoupled to a vertical shower wall 56 and is in communication with thecontroller 44. In certain illustrative embodiments, the controller 44may be received within the main user interface 54. A remote userinterface 58 may be in wireless communication with the controller 44 andremovably coupled to a bracket 60 supported by the shower wall 56. Thehand shower 52 may be removably coupled to a cradle 62 supported by theshower wall 56. In certain illustrative embodiments, the hand shower 52may include a user interface 64 in wireless communication with the maincontroller 44.

With reference to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 3-6, the flowcontrol assembly 12 and the main user interface 14 are shown in theirrelative positions with respect to the shower wall 56. Moreparticularly, the flow control assembly is configured to be supportedsubstantially behind the shower wall 56, while the main user interface14 is configured to be supported substantially in front of the showerwall 56. The flow control assembly 12 is configured to be receivedsubstantially within a conventional shower valve footprint defined by anopening or wall cavity 66 behind the shower wall 56 and to be covered bythe main user interface 14 (FIGS. 5 and 6). As further detailed herein,the main user interface 14 is illustratively releasably coupled to theshower wall 56 to provide access to the flow control assembly 12. Inother words, the main user interface 14 is supported axially in front ofthe flow control assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the main userinterface 14 and the flow control assembly 12 may be positionedvertically below the overhead showerhead 50. The electronic showersystem 10 detailed herein may be used in connection with a wide varietyof shower walls 56 including, for example, relatively thin shower walls56 (illustratively formed of wall board 67 covered by tile 68 as shownin FIG. 8) and relative thick shower walls 56′ (illustratively formed ofa surround liner 69 coupled to wall board 67 as shown in FIG. 9).

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 9, the mixing valve 20 and the mixingvalve drive 40 are shown in their relative positions with respect to theshower wall 56, located vertically below the diverter valve 32 and thediverter valve drive 42. In the illustrative embodiment, the valveassembly 16 includes a rough assembly 70 having a housing 72 supportinga mixing valve body 74 and a diverter valve body 76. The housing 72 maybe molded from a polymer, such as a thermoplastic, to conform to theshape of the valve bodies 74 and 76 (FIG. 7). Openings 75 and 77 withinthe housing 72 receive the valve bodies 74 and 76, respectively.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the mixing valve body 74 isillustratively mounted within housing 72 by screws 78 extending througha rear wall 80 of the housing 72. Similarly, diverter valve body 76 maybe mounted within housing 72 by screw 82 extending through rear wall 80of the housing 72. The housing 72 not only receives the mixing valvebody 74 and the diverter valve body 76, but may also be configured tocatch water drips or leaks that might occur within the valve assembly 16or fluid outlets 34 and 36. The housing 72 illustratively includes awall or lip 84 extending forwardly of the rear wall 80. The lip 84 mayextend past the rear surface of the shower wall 56 (forwardly about ¼inch to the front surface of the wall board 67 (FIGS. 8 and 9), therebyallowing water to run out in front of the wall 56 (in case of a leak)instead of behind it. The lip 84 may also act as a template for cuttingwall board 67, surround liner 69 and/or tile 68.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the housing 72 is coupled to the wall 56 byL-shaped mounting brackets 86. The housing 72 includes upper and lowermounting tabs 88 proximate its covers and secured to the mountingbrackets 86 by conventional fasteners, such as bolts 90. Moreparticularly, the bolts 90 are received within slots 92 in the tabs 88of the housing 72 and holes 94 in the brackets 86. The brackets 86 arethen mounted to a rear surface of the wall 56 to position the roughassembly 70 properly in the wall cavity 66.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the mixing valve 20 includes a mixingvalve cartridge 98 received within mixing valve body 74. Valve body 74includes hot and cold water inlets 100 and 102 configured to be fluidlycoupled to hot and cold water inlet conduits 24 and 28, and outlet 104defining mixed water outlet conduit 30 and configured to be fluidlycoupled in series with the diverter valve body 76. Valve body 74 isillustratively formed of brass and may be of conventional design.

The mixing valve cartridge 98 may be a pressure balance cycling valve ofconventional design, including a valve member (e.g., valve disc orplate) rotatable by operation of a stem, and a pressure balance device(e.g., a spool), to accommodate pressure variations of water supplied tothe inlets 100 and 102 and thereby maintain desired water temperature atthe outlet 104. As the valve member of the valve cartridge 98 is rotatedby the stem, the temperature of water delivered to the outlet 104 varieswhile the flow rate remains substantially constant (following initiationof flow as detailed herein). In the illustrative embodiment, rotation ofthe stem in a counter-clockwise direction from a closed position causeswater flow activation and water temperature to increase from cold tohot. A bonnet nut 108 threadably engages the mixing valve body 74 tosecure the mixing valve cartridge 98 therein.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the valve body 74 includes acylindrical sidewall 110 defining a central housing and extendingaxially along a longitudinal axis from a bottom or rear wall 112 anddefining a chamber or cavity 114. Tubular hot water inlet 100 andtubular cold water inlet 102 are fluidly coupled to cavity 114. Tubularoutlet 104, which illustratively defines mixed water outlet conduit 30,fluidly couples cavity 114 with diverter valve body 76.

More particularly, the bottom wall 112 includes a hot water supply port122 in fluid communication with the hot water inlet 100, and a coldwater supply port 124 in fluid communication with the cold water inlet102. At least one discharge or outlet port 125 also extends through theside wall 110 and is in fluid communication with outlet 104.

The mixing valve cartridge 98 illustratively includes a pressure balancedevice 126 which is illustratively non-rotatably disposed in the cavity114. The pressure balance device 126 includes laterally spaced apartaxially inwardly projecting first and second tubes 128 and 130. Thefirst tube 128 is illustratively sealingly received into port 122 ofbody 74, while the second tube 130 is illustratively sealingly receivedinto port 124 of the body 74. Seals, illustratively o-rings 132 and 134,are provided to sealingly engage the sidewalls of ports 122 and 124 toprevent water from supply ports 122 and 124 from leaking into the cavity114 and unintentionally reaching the outlet port 125.

With further reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, check valves 136 and 138 areillustratively coupled to the tubes 128 and 130 and are configured toprevent cross-flow of hot water from the hot water inlet 100 into thecold water inlet 102 and vice versa. Such a cross-flow could occur ifthere is a pressure differential between the hot and cold water inlets100 and 102.

The first tube 128 is fluidly coupled to a first section 140 of aspool-type pressure balancing valve 142. Similarly, the second tube 130is fluidly coupled to a second section 144 of the pressure balancingvalve 142. The pressure balancing valve 142 is illustratively disposedin a chamber 146 of the device 126. Seals, such as o-rings 145 andgasket 147, may prevent water leakage from the valve 142. The pressurebalancing valve 142 may be of conventional design and illustrativelyincludes a piston 148 which is slidably mounted within an outer spool150. Such illustrative spool-type pressure balancing valves are known inthe art and may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,010 to Martyet al.

The pressure balance device 126 further includes laterally spaced apartaxially outwardly extending first and second tubes 152 and 154. Thefirst tube 152 defines a first outlet passageway 156, and the secondtube 154 defines a second outlet passageway 158. Outlet passageways 156and 158 are in fluid communication with the chamber 146. Tubes 152 and154 receive seals, illustratively spring and seat assemblies 160 and162, respectively.

Referring further to FIG. 11, the pressure balance device 126 isoperably coupled to an outer valve assembly 164. More particularly, theouter valve assembly 164 includes a housing cap 166 which may be securedto the pressure balance device 126 through a bayonet lock 168.

A volume and temperature control valve plate 170, illustratively formedof stainless steel, is operably coupled to a stem 176. The valve plate170 includes a hot water control aperture 172 and a cold water controlaperture 174. As the stem 176 rotates about its longitudinal axis, thetemperature control valve plate 170 rotates the control apertures 172and 174 for selective alignment with the hot and cold water outletpassageways 156 and 158, respectively, of the pressure balance device126.

As is known, when the stem 176 is in an off (home) position, neithercontrol aperture 172, 174 is in fluid communication with fluidpassageways 156, 158, such that no water flows therethrough. Rotation ofthe stem 176 in a counter-clockwise direction from the off positionmoves the valve plate 170 such that the cold water passageway 158 is influid communication with the cold water control aperture 174 to initiatea cold water flow. As rotation of the stem 176 continues, the hot watercontrol aperture 172 of the valve plate 170 begins to align with hotwater passageway 156 to start hot water flow through hot waterpassageway 156. At a full counter-clockwise orientation, maximum hotwater flow is provided through hot water control aperture 172. Thecontrol apertures 172 and 174 in the valve plate 170 are incommunication with the outlet port 125. More particularly, water flowingthrough control apertures 172 and 174 mixes within the cap 166 and flowsaround pressure balance device 126 to the outlet port 125.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, rough assembly 70 is configured tobe operably coupled to the mixing valve drive 40. The mixing valve drive40 illustratively includes a motor/gear box assembly 180, having ahousing 181 supported by the mixing valve body 74 through the mixingvalve cartridge 98. As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the motor/gear box assembly180 illustratively includes an electric motor 182 received within asleeve 184. The sleeve 184 is illustratively molded from a thermoplasticand is coupled to a rear housing or base 183 of housing 181,illustratively through fasteners 185. A foam seal 186 is illustrativelyreceived intermediate the sleeve 184 and the housing 181 to preventwater from accessing the motor 182 itself. The bottom side of the sleeve184 may include vents (not shown) to reduce the amount of heat built upby the motor 182. The stem 176 of the mixing valve cartridge 98illustratively engages with a spline on a driven or valve gear 190,which is configured to turn the stem 176 and control the temperature ofthe water delivered to the outlet 30, through rotation of valve plate170 in the manner further detailed herein.

The illustrative motor/gear box assembly 180 further includes a maindrive gear 192. The main drive gear 192 is driven in rotation by a drivepinion 194 which connects directly to the motor driver or drive shaft196 of motor 182. A drive belt 198 with teeth 199 engages with the maindrive gear 192 and the driven or valve gear 190. Followingcounter-clockwise from the driven gear 190 in FIG. 16, the drive belt198 engages with a tensioner 200, which applies tension to the belt 198to accommodate tolerances in the mixing valve drive 40. A variety oftensioners 200 may be utilized, including an eccentric cammingtensioner, a spring loaded arm, a piston or other suitable mechanism.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an illustrative tensioner 200 for belt 198.Tensioner 200 includes a slide member 202 which is configured to slidehorizontally between two guides 204 forming part of the base 183 ofhousing 181. A screw 206 loosely holds the tensioner 200 to the housing181. A cylindrical roller 208 is rotatably supported on a shaft 210which is a part of the slide member 202. A compression spring 212 pushesthe tensioner 200 and roller 208 into the outer or smooth (no teeth)side of the drive belt 198. The spring 212 is held in place by theguides 204. A slot 214 in the slide member 202 receives the screw 206and allows the slide member 202 to move horizontally toward the belt198. The tension in the belt 198 is set automatically by the compressionof the spring 212. The screw 206 is then tightened down to lock thetensioner 200 in place. The roller 208 is constrained by a front housingor cover 207 cooperating with the base 183 of the housing 181. The actof locking down or securing the belt 198 with its desired tension may beperformed before (FIG. 16) or after (FIG. 14) the front cover 207 isattached.

The belt 198 engages with the valve or driven gear 190 which isconnected to the mixing valve cartridge 98. A positioning gear 201engages the belt 198 intermediate gears 190 and 192. The positioninggear 201 is connected to a position sensor, illustratively apotentiometer 216, which keeps track of the angular position of the stem176 (and hence rotatable valve plate 170) of the mixing valve cartridge98. In other words, the potentiometer 216 detects the rotationalposition of the positioning gear 201 which has a direct correlation withthe position of the driven gear 190 through the belt 198. In turn, therotational position of the driven gear 190 has a direct correlation withthe position of the stem 176 and valve plate 170 of the mixing valvecartridge 98. In one illustrative embodiment, the potentiometer 216 maybe a Trimmer Potentiometer part number SV01L103AEA11T00 available fromMurata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan.

As shown in FIG. 14, both the positioning gear 201 and the driven gear190 have indicators 217 and 219, respectively, which are visible to theuser. During initialization or assembly of mixing valve drive 40, theinitial or home position of the positioning gear 201 is set to beequivalent to the off position of the mixing valve cartridge 98 (i.e.,when the plate 107 is in its furthermost clockwise position so that nowater flows therethrough). When aligned and pointed toward each other,the indicators 217 and 219 define the home position of the positioninggear 201 and the driven gear 190. The housing cover 207 illustrativelyincludes an alignment channel 209 to assist the user in changing theindicators 217 and 219.

The housing 181 is illustratively formed of a thermoplastic and receivesthe gears 190, 192 and 201, belt 198, and tensioner 200. Deflector orribs 220 (FIG. 16) may be added inside the housing 181 to direct waterpotentially leaked from cartridge 98 away from electronics or othersensitive areas. Slots 221 may be provided in the bottom of the housing181 to allow any water that might get into the motor/gear box assembly180 to drain therefrom. In addition, a plug (not shown) may be added tothe lower portion of housing 181 to prevent water from following wiresand potentially damaging electrical components.

The main housing 181 may also house controller 44 including controlelectronics 222 supported on a printed circuit board (PCB) 224. Thecontrol electronics 222 may include individual connectors 226 a, 226 b,226 c, 226 d and 226 e (FIG. 16) for coupling with power supply 45,temperature sensor 46, diverter valve drive 42, main user interface 14,and battery/speaker, respectively. Conventional connector plugs andwires (not shown) may be used to make the appropriate electricalconnections. The controller 44 may also include a transceiver 227 forwirelessly communicating with the remote user interface 58 and the handshower user interface 64. Cover 207 is illustratively added to the frontof the base 183 to define housing 218 and is attached with screws 231which are threadably received within bosses 232 of the base 183.

With reference to FIGS. 14-17, the motor/gear box assembly 180 includesa manual override 236 having an override button 238 that when pushed,disengages the gear train (i.e., belt 198 and drive gear 192) from themixing valve cartridge 98, thereby allowing the user to manually turnthe stem 176 of the valve cartridge 98 to an off position in case of acomponent (e.g., motor 182) failure or power outage. In other words, thebutton 238 selectively couples the drive gear 192 with the drive pinion194 and the motor shaft 196. As seen in FIGS. 17-18B, external splines240 on the button 238 selectively engage with mating internal splines242 on a motor driver, illustratively drive gear 192 (FIG. 18A).Similarly, internal splines 241 on the button 238 continuously engagewith mating external splines 243 on the drive pinion 194. By depressingbutton 238, splines 240 disengage from splines 242 (FIG. 18B). Whilebutton 238 remains rotatably coupled to the drive pinion 194, the button238 is rotatably uncoupled from the drive gear 192, thereby allowing atool, such as an Allen wrench (not shown), to engage with an auxiliarymanual input, illustratively a hex opening 239 defined by driven gear190. As such, a user may rotate stem 176 of valve cartridge 98. A spring244 returns the button 238 to the initial or engaged position (FIG.18A). Turning the hex opening 239 while pushing the button 238 willallow the user to close the mixing valve 20 (i.e., turned off water bydisengaging motor 182 from the drive gear 192) should the electronics orpower fail.

Referring to FIG. 10, the motor/gear box assembly 180 illustrativelyattaches to the mixing valve 20 by a pair of bolts 246 engaging amounting clip 248. The mounting clip 248 is c-shaped and assembles to agroove 250 molded in the cap 166 of valve cartridge 98. The bolts 246are supported in mounting tabs 252 extending radially outwardly from theclip 248. As the mounting clip 248 extends circumferentially more than180 degrees within the groove 250 of cap 166, the clip 248 essentiallysnaps over the cap 166 and is retained within the groove 250. Themounting clip 248 facilitates assembly in the illustrative embodiment asthe cartridge bonnet nut 108 will not pass over the mounting tabs 252 onthe mounting clip 248.

Referring to FIG. 9, the temperature sensor or thermistor assembly 46consists of a thermistor 256, a lower housing 258, an upper housing 260,inner o-rings 262, and outer o-rings 264. The lower and upper housings258 and 260 are illustratively snapped together at a rotatable joint 266to provide a rotation between the housings 258 and 260 as opposed to athreaded connection that may result in twisting of the connecting wires(not shown) and leading to a potential failure. The upper housing 260threads into the valve body 74 and sets the depth of the thermistor 256engagement in the outlet water stream and locks the thermistor 256 inplace. The o-rings 262 and 264 seal water from exiting the body 74.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 13, a fluid mixer 270 is illustrativelyreceived within the outlet 104 of mixing valve body 74. The fluid mixer270 may include a lower portion 272 operably coupled to an upper portion274. The lower portion 272 includes a pair of mixing blades or vanes 276configured to impart a rotational motion in a first direction(illustratively counter-clockwise) to water in the outlet 104.Similarly, the upper portion 274 includes a pair of mixing blades orvanes 278 configured to impart a rotational motion of an opposite seconddirection (illustratively clockwise) to water in the outlet 104. Therotational motion imparted to the water in outlet 104 facilitates mixingof hot and cold water supplied from the mixing valve cartridge 98,thereby providing a more uniform temperature distribution therein andfacilitating improved accuracy in measurements by the temperature sensor46.

As detailed herein, the thermistor assembly 46 provides feedback to thecontroller 44 of the water temperature exiting the mixing valve 70 atoutlet 104. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller 44 provides aredundant check on the temperature sensing loop. For example, mixingvalve position as detected by potentiometer 216 may be utilized tocalculate the actual position versus theoretical position of thecartridge 98, a secondary piezo-electric temperature sensor may be usedto monitor an overheat condition (possibly a passive IR sensor that canbe used in an overheat condition), or a dual circuit may be used toverify if the thermistor assembly 46 is working consistently.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 9, 19, and 20, the diverter valve 32 includesa diverter valve cartridge 280 received within diverter valve body 76.The valve body 76 includes an inlet 282 fluidly coupled to the outlet104 of the mixing valve body 74, a first outlet 284 fluidly coupled tothe first fluid outlet 34, and a second outlet 286 fluidly coupled tothe second fluid outlet 36. The valve body 76 is received within thehousing 72 and attached to rear wall 80 via screw 82 (FIG. 7). Divertervalve cartridge 280 may be retained within a bore 290 of the brass bodyby a bonnet 292. As further detailed herein, the diverter valvecartridge 280 may be of conventional design. In one illustrativeembodiment, the diverter valve cartridge may be of the type availablefrom Fluehs Drehtechnik of Luedenscheid, Germany.

The diverter valve drive 42 illustratively includes an actuator, such asan electric motor or solenoid drive 294, secured to the valve cartridge280 via conventional fasteners, such as screws 295. The electric motor294 illustratively includes a position sensing device, such as apotentiometer, to detect the rotational position of the drive shaft 297,and hence the diverter valve cartridge 280, in operation.

With reference to FIGS. 19-22, the diverter valve cartridge 280 isillustratively of an open design and includes a housing 296 having aplurality of radially disposed inlet ports 300, and an end wall 298having three axially disposed outlet ports 302A, 302B, 302C. A rotatableflow control plate 304 includes a control opening 306 and is coupled toa stem 303 for rotation therewith. In an illustrative embodiment, outletport 302A is in fluid communication with opening 284A of the firstoutlet 284, outlet port 302B is in fluid communication with opening 286Aof the second outlet 286, and outlet port 302C is plugged or sealed bythe valve body 76. A lower plate 308 sealingly engages the flow controlplate 304 and includes openings 310A, 310B, and 310C aligned withoutlets 302A, 302B, and 302C, respectively, of end wall 298. A post 299extends from end wall 298 and is received within opening 305 in valvebody 76 (FIGS. 7 and 21). Post 299 provides angular alignment for theports 302 of the end wall 298 relative to the openings 284A and 286A ofthe valve body 76. A cap 312 cooperates with the housing 296 and isreceived within cavity 290 of the valve body 76. O-rings 314 provide afluid seal between the cap 312 and the valve body 76.

During operation, the diverter valve drive 42 will cause plate 304 torotate to various angular positions to control which openings 310A,310B, 310C of lower plate 308 are in fluid communication with opening306 of flow control plate 304, and thereby which outlet 302A, 302B,302C, and corresponding fluid outlet 284, 286 is supplied with water.Also by controlling angular positions, flow rate may be controlled byusing the control opening 306 to only partially overlap with respectiveopenings 310A, 310B, 310C.

FIGS. 24A-24H are bottom views of the diverter valve cartridge 280showing various rotational positions of the valve plate 304 and thecorresponding locations of opening 306 (shown in hidden line) relativeto outlets 302A, 302B, and 302C. With reference to FIG. 24A, thediverter valve cartridge 280 is shown in a pause mode of operation. Thisis the home or center potentiometer position where ports 302A and 302Bare closed and port 302C is open. In other words, valve plate 304 blocksoutlets 302A and 302B from fluid communication with inlet ports 300.While opening 306 of valve plate 304 is in fluid communication with port302C, as noted above, port 302C is plugged such that no water flowstherethrough.

FIG. 24B shows the diverter valve cartridge 280 in a first port fullflow mode, where port 302A is fully open and ports 302B and 302C areclosed. As used herein, fully open is defined when the respective port302 permits unrestricted flow permitted by the system 10 (i.e., noadditional restriction to water flow supplied to inlets 300). In thismode, the valve plate 304 has been rotated 37.9 degrees in a firstdirection (clockwise as shown in FIG. 24B), such that the valve plate304 blocks outlet 302B from fluid communication with inlet ports 300.However, outlets 302A and 302C are in fluid communication with inletports 300 through opening 306 of valve plate 304. As detailed above,outlet 302A is in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet 34(e.g. overhead shower 50), while outlet 302C is plugged.

FIG. 24C shows the diverter valve cartridge 280 in a second port fullflow mode, where ports 302A and 302C are closed and port 302B is fullyopen. In this mode, valve plate 304 has been rotated 40.8 degrees in asecond direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIG. 24C) from the homeposition of FIG. 24A such that the valve plate 304 blocks outlet 302Afrom fluid communication with inlet ports 300. However, outlets 302B and302C are in fluid communication with inlet ports 300 through opening 306of valve plate 304. As detailed above, outlet 302B is in fluidcommunication with the second fluid outlet 36 (e.g., hand shower 52),while outlet 302C is plugged.

FIG. 24D shows the diverter valve cartridge 280 in a first port mediumflow mode, where ports 302B and 302C are closed and port 302A ispartially open. In this mode, valve plate 304 has been rotated 16.6degrees in the first direction (clockwise as shown in FIG. 24D) from thehome position of FIG. 24A such that the valve plate 304 completelyblocks port 302B and partially blocks port 302A from fluid communicationwith inlet ports 300. Opening 306 of valve plate 304 provides for fluidcommunication between inlet ports 300 and ports 302A and 302C. Asdetailed above, outlet 302A is in fluid communication with the firstfluid outlet 34 (i.e., overhead shower 50), while outlet 302C isplugged. Valve plate 304 provides a restriction to water flow throughport 302A, thereby providing a medium flow rate to the first fluidoutlet 34.

FIG. 24E shows the diverter valve cartridge 280 in a second port mediumflow mode, where ports 302A and 302C are closed and port 302B ispartially opened. In this mode, valve plate 304 has been rotated 19.6degrees in the second direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIG. 24E)from the home position of FIG. 24A such that the valve plate 304completely blocks port 302A and partially blocks port 302B from fluidcommunication with inlet ports 300. Opening 306 of valve plate 304provides for fluid communication between inlet ports 300 and ports 302Band 302C. As detailed above, outlet 302B is in fluid communication withthe second fluid outlet 36 (i.e., hand shower 52), while outlet 302C isplugged. Valve plate 304 provides a restriction to water flow throughport 302B, thereby providing a medium flow rate to the second fluidoutlet 36.

FIG. 24F shows a shared mode of the diverter valve cartridge 280, whereports 302A and 302B are both fully open and port 302C is closed. In thismode, valve plate 304 has been rotated either 160 degrees in the firstdirection (clockwise in FIG. 24F) or 160 degrees in the second direction(counter-clockwise in FIG. 24F) from the home position of FIG. 24A. Thevalve plate 304 completely blocks port 302C, while the opening 306provides for unrestricted flow from both ports 302A and 302B, such thatwater is provided to both the first fluid outlet 34 (i.e., overheadshower 50) and the second fluid outlet 36 (i.e., hand shower 52).

FIG. 24G shows a first port low flow mode of the diverter valvecartridge 280, where port 302A is partially open and ports 302B and 302Care closed. In this mode, valve plate 304 has been rotated 12.2 degreesin the first direction (clockwise as shown in FIG. 24G) from the homeposition of FIG. 24A such that the valve plate 304 completely blocksport 302B and substantially blocks port 302A from fluid communicationwith inlet ports 300. Opening 306 of valve plate 304 provides for fluidcommunication between inlet ports 300 and ports 302A and 302C. Asdetailed above, outlet 302A is in fluid communication with the firstfluid outlet 34 (i.e., overhead shower 50), while outlet 302C isplugged. Valve plate 304 provides a restriction to water flow throughport 302A, thereby providing a low flow rate to the first fluid outlet34.

Finally, FIG. 24H shows a second port low flow mode of the divertervalve cartridge 280, where port 302B is partially open and ports 302Aand 302C are closed. In this mode, valve plate 304 has been rotated 14.9degrees in the second direction (counter-clockwise as shown in FIG. 24H)from the home position of FIG. 24A such that the valve plate 304completely blocks port 302A and substantially blocks port 302B fromfluid communication with inlet ports 300. Opening 306 of valve plate 304provides for fluid communication between inlet ports 300 and ports 302Band 302C. As detailed above, outlet 302B is in fluid communication withthe second fluid outlet 36 (i.e., hand shower 52), while outlet 302C isplugged. Valve plate 304 provides a restriction to water flow throughport 302B, thereby providing a low flow rate to the second fluid outlet36.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show the illustrative main user interface 14 (includingillustrative mounting trim) for the electronic shower system 10. Asdetailed above, the flow control assembly 12 defines the behind the wall56 portion of the electronic shower system 10. The following descriptionfocuses on the illustrative main user interface 14 mounting in front ofthe wall 56. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, hole or cavity 66 in the wall 56provides access to the rough assembly 70. A mounting plate 376 attachesto the rough assembly 70 (behind the wall) with a plurality of mountingscrews 377 into bosses 378, which may include metal inserts (not shown)mounted in the housing 72 (FIGS. 5-7 and 25). A sealing gasket 379 ispreassembled to the back of the mounting plate 376 and seals against thefinished wall 56. A speaker assembly 381 is attached to the mountingplate 376 as shown with screws 383 to provide audible output to theuser. A pair of magnets 386 may be assembled into the back of themounting plate 376 to lock an escutcheon 387 in place. The speakerassembly 381 illustratively includes an electrical connector (not shown)that may connect to a battery 388, illustratively a 9 volt battery. Thebattery 388 is configured to provide enough power to the system 10 sothat in the case of a power outage, the user will have a predeterminedtime (illustratively two minutes) to rinse off and get out of theshower. More particularly, the controller 44 is configured to detectwhen power is not being supplied from the external power supply 45 andthe mixing valve 20 is open and thereby providing water to the outlet30. When both conditions are met, the controller 44 may provide a powerloss warning to the user and the battery 388 provides back-up power tooperate the mixing valve 20 to turn off water flow. In an illustrativeembodiment, the controller 44 automatically closes the mixing valve 20two minutes after the loss of external power is detected, after whichfurther operation of the mixing valve 20 through the battery 388 is notpermitted by the controller 44.

A second sealing gasket 389 provides for a seal between the mountingplate 376 and a removable user interface module 390. Access openings391A and 391B are provided within the mounting plate 376 behind the userinterface module 390 for emergency override 236. In the case of afailure, the user can disconnect the user interface module 390, depressthe override button 238 through access opening 391A to free the gears190 and 192, and pass a wrench (not shown) through access opening 391Bto turn off the mixing valve 20, as further detailed herein. Protrudinglugs 392 from the user interface module 390 engage with keyhole slots393 in the mounting plate 376 to lock the user interface module 390 tothe mounting plate 376. The escutcheon 387 may include two magneticstainless steel screws 394 attached to the back of the escutcheon 387configured to be magnetically coupled to magnets 386.

With further reference to FIG. 26, the interface module 390 is shown asincluding a front case 395 coupled to a rear case 396 through aplurality of screws 397. A liquid silicone rubber seal 398 is positionedintermediate the front case 395 and the rear case 396 to prevent waterleakage therebetween. A resistive touch screen 399 is positionedintermediate the front case 395 and the rear case 396. As is known,resistive touch screen 399 is illustratively a user touch sensitivedisplay screen including a pair of resistive material coated sheetsseparated by a gap. When touched, horizontal and vertical elements onthe sheets are pressed together and detect the location of the touch. Asfurther detailed herein, the touch screen 399 may display customizedinformation and receive corresponding customized inputs as instructed bythe controller 44. The resistive touch screen 399 may be of conventionaldesign of the type available from Tianma Micro-electronics of Majialong,Nanshan, China. A protective clear sheet 400 is positioned in front ofthe resistive touch screen 399 and is spaced therefrom by a spacer 401.A printed circuit board (PCB) 402 is positioned behind the resistivetouch screen 399 and may define the controller 44. A power push button403 is in electrical communication with the PCB 402 along with thebattery 388 and speaker assembly 381.

FIGS. 27-37 show a further illustrative embodiment magnetic escutcheonmounting assembly 412 for use with mixing valve drive 40. As furtherdetailed herein, the escutcheon mounting assembly 412 includes anescutcheon 414 having an opening 415 for receiving an electronic userinterface 416 accessible to someone in the shower. With reference toFIG. 27, the user interface 416 illustratively includes an interfacepanel 418 with a plurality of push buttons 420 related to differentfluid delivery options. Illustratively, a temperature control input 421,such as a capacitive touch slide sensor disposed on an arcuate path, issupported by the interface panel 418 to control outlet watertemperature. In a further illustrative embodiment, a flow control input423 may be positioned adjacent the temperature control input 421 andconfigured to control the rate of outlet water flow. Again, the flowcontrol input 423 may comprise a capacitive touch slide sensor disposedalong an arcuate path. In alternative embodiments, a rotatable knob (notshown) may be manipulated by the user to control the flow rate and/ortemperature of water delivered to the shower. Moreover, the interfacepanel 418 is configured to receive inputs from a user and convert thoseinputs into an output that maybe transmitted to an electric valve (notshown) to provide for specific fluid temperature, flow rate, and/oroutlet pattern.

With reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, the escutcheon mounting assembly 412is configured to be supported by vertical mounting surface defined bythe wall 56. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the escutcheon mountingassembly 412 includes a mounting base 436 supporting a user interface416, and escutcheon 414. Magnets 438, 440 and magnetically attractiveelements 470, 472 are used to couple the escutcheon 414 to the mountingbase 436. The mounting base 436 couples to the wall 56 using a pluralityof mounting screws 424 and 426. Illustratively, a first mounting screw424 is secured proximate upper edge 428 of the mounting base 436 and asecond mounting screw 426 is secured proximate lower edge 430 of themounting base 436. A seal 446 is compressed between the vertical wall 56and the mounting base 436. The seal 446 may be formed from anycompressible material, such as foam.

The mounting base 436 includes upper edge 428, lower edge 430, andopposing side edges 448 and 450. Two recesses 452 and 454 are positionednear the lower edge 430 of the mounting base 436. In the illustrativeembodiment, the recesses 452 and 454 contain magnets 438 and 440 ofsubstantially the same size and shape as the apertures 452 and 454. Themagnets 438 and 440 are illustratively secured to the recesses 452 and454 of the base 436 using conventional means, such as through anadhesive or epoxy. Optionally, magnetically attractive material may beadhered to the first and second apertures 452 and 454, rather thanmagnets 438 and 440. Illustrative magnets 438 and 440 are rare earthmagnets. In one illustrative embodiment, the magnets 438 and 440 areformed from a neodymium magnetic slurry. While the magnets 438 and 440in the present embodiment are permanent magnets, it is envisioned thatother magnets, including electromagnets, could be used. The magnets 438and 440 illustratively generate a total coupling force of up to 6 lb_(f)(i.e., up to 3 lb_(f) per magnet 438 and 440).

The magnets 438 and 440 of the illustrative embodiment are coated orplated to prevent humidity and wetness from corroding and decreasing themagnetic strength. For example, the magnets 438 and 440 may include acoating 455, illustratively an epoxy material to prevent corrosion. Inother illustrative embodiments, the coating 455 may be formed from apolymeric overmold.

With further reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, mounting base 436 has firstand second keyhole slots 456 and 458 used to couple the user interface416 to the mounting base 436. The user interface 416 includes first andsecond locking projections 460 and 462 configured to fit into thekeyhole slots 456 and 458 and securely couple the user interface 416 tothe mounting base 436. Positioned between the user interface 416 and themounting base 436 is a seal 464. The seal 464 is placed against a frontface 466 of the mounting base 436 (FIG. 29).

The escutcheon 414 is received over the user interface 416. Locatedalong the upper edge 467 of the escutcheon 414 is at least oneprotrusion or tab 468. Illustratively, three protrusions 468 a, 468 b,468 c are supported proximate the upper edge 467 of the escutcheon 414.Located along a lower edge 477 of the escutcheon 414 is at least onemagnetically attractive element, illustratively 410 stainless steelscrews 470 and 472 received into first and second internally threadedbosses 474 and 476. The screws 470 and 472 may be replaced by othermagnetically attractive elements, including magnets. The magnets 438 and440 proximate the lower edge 430 of the mounting base 436 are attractedto the magnetically attractive elements 470 and 472, respectively, andcouple the lower edge 477 of the escutcheon 414 to the lower edge 430 ofthe mounting base 436. The protrusions 468 a, 468 b, 468 c proximate theupper edge 467 of the escutcheon 414 are coupled with recesses or slots478 a, 478 b, 478 c, respectively, that are proximate the upper edge 428of the mounting base 436. The protrusions 468 fit within the recesses478 to form a hinge 484 that pivotally couples the escutcheon 414 to themounting base 436.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the keyhole slots 456 and 458 are coupledwith the first and second locking projections 460 and 462 of the userinterface 416. The locking projections 460 and 462 slide from the upperend of the keyhole slots 456 and 458 to the lower end to secure the userinterface 416 to the mounting base 436. The escutcheon 414 is coupled tothe mounting base 436 using magnetic forces. Magnets 438 and 440 adheredto opposing first and second recesses 452 and 454 proximate the loweredge 430 of the mounting base 436 are attracted to the stainless steelscrews 470 and 472 proximate the lower edge 477 of the escutcheon 414.In this way, the use of magnets 438 and 440 makes the escutcheon 414more aesthetically pleasing because they are not visible to a user.Magnets 438 and 440 are hidden fastening means, not visible on theexterior of the escutcheon 414 in the way that conventional fastenerswould be, and therefore, the shower valve assembly 410 has anaesthetically pleasing appearance.

Turning now to FIGS. 31 and 32, hinge 484 is defined by the protrusion468 of the escutcheon 414 and the recess 478 of the base 436. The hinge484 is movable between an open position (FIG. 32A) and closed position(FIG. 32B). The protrusions 468 proximate the upper edge 467 of theescutcheon 414 fit into the recesses 478 proximate the upper edge 428 ofthe mounting base 436 to form hinge 484. The hinge 484 pivotally couplesthe escutcheon 414 to the mounting base 436. FIG. 32A shows the hinge484 in an open position, defined by the escutcheon 414 in a nonparallelposition relative to the mounting base 436. When the hinge 484 is in theopen position, the escutcheon 414 is supported by the base 436 at onlythe hinge 484. The magnets 438 and 440 and magnetically attractiveelements 470 and 472 are not coupled together. The escutcheon 414 isconfigured to pivot at the hinge 484 and move downward toward the closedposition, as shown in FIG. 32B.

More particularly, the closed position of the hinge 484 is defined bythe escutcheon 414 in a parallel relation to the mounting base 436 (FIG.32B). In the closed position, the escutcheon 414 is supported by boththe hinge 484 proximate the upper edges 467 and 428 of the escutcheon414 and the mounting base 436 and the magnetic coupling force resultingfrom the magnets 438 and 440 and the magnetically attractive elements470 and 472 near the lower edges 430 and 477 of the mounting base 436and the escutcheon 414.

The escutcheon mounting assembly 412 is illustratively assembled byattaching the mounting base 436 to vertical wall 56 through screws 424and 426. Seal 446 is positioned intermediate the wall 56 and themounting base 436. With the base 436 secured to the wall 56, seal 464 ispositioned in engagement with the front face 466 of the mounting base436 and is compressed by the attachment of the user interface 416 to themounting base 436. The user interface 416 couples to the mounting base436 through keyhole slots 456 and 458 and locking projections 460 and462. Once the user interface 416 is secured to the mounting base 436,the escutcheon 414 is attached. The protrusions 468 proximate the upperedge 467 of the escutcheon 414 is received within the recesses 478proximate the upper edge 428 of the mounting base 436. The escutcheon414 is pivoted downwardly until the magnets 438 and 440 couple with themagnetically attractive elements 470 and 472. In this way, theescutcheon mounting assembly 412 is coupled proximate both the upperedges 428 and 467 and the lower edges 430 and 477 if the mounting base436 and the escutcheon 414.

Additional details of the escutcheon mounting assembly 412 are disclosedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/609,489, filed Oct. 30, 2009, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

With reference to FIGS. 33-37, a further illustrative main userinterface 14 includes multiple components received within a watertightenclosure defined by user interface module 416, which may be removablymounted to mounting bracket or base 436 on shower wall 56.Illustratively, a front panel 502 is coupled to an input member 504through a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) 506. The frontpanel 502 is illustratively formed of a translucent thermoplastic, suchas an acrylic or polycarbonate. The front panel 502 includes a pluralityof contact surfaces or buttons 508, 510, 512 to receive input from auser. Contact surfaces 510A and 510B are each arcuate, illustrativelysemi-circles together forming a circle surrounding a center contactsurface 512.

The input member 504 illustratively comprises a flexible Mylar® board514 containing capacitive or conductive touch pads 516, 518, 520 alignedwith the contact surfaces 508, 510, 512 of the front panel 502. Thetouch pads 516, 518, 520 are in communication with electricallyconductive traces (not shown). Illustratively, both the touch pads 516,518, 520 and the traces are formed of a transparent conductive material,such as transparent silver or aluminum. In one illustrative embodiment,the touch pads 518 are formed in an arcuate pattern about a center pad520. The traces electrically couple the pads 516, 518, 520 to a flexibleconnector tail 522.

The PSA 506 also holds an intermediate plastic mount 524 (illustrativelyformed of nylon), which receives diffusing members or lens 526, 528(illustratively formed of silicone) as well as bosses 530 that define amounting location for a printed circuit board (PCB) 532 and liquidcrystal display (LCD) screen 534. The PCB board 532 is electricallycoupled to controller 44, a plurality of LEDs 536, 538, 540, and LCDscreen 534. LEDs 536 are illustratively blue, LED 538 is illustrativelygreen, and LEDs 540 are illustratively bicolor (blue/red). The PCB board532 includes a plurality of electrically conductive paths or traces thatprovide communication between the LEDs 536, 538, 540, the LCD screen534, and the controller 44. The connector tail 522 of the board 514 iscoupled to a connector 542 supported by the PCB board 532 and is incommunication with the controller 44.

A back case 544 (illustratively formed of nylon) completes the assemblyand may be secured to the front panel 502 by a foam seal 546 havingadhesive on opposing faces. A plurality of screws 548 may also securethe front panel 502 to the back case 544 by entering from a back of thehousing into bosses on the intermediate plastic mount 506. The PSA 506and the foam seal 546 prevent water leakage between the back case 544and the front panel 502.

Illustratively, a user contacting (or placing a finger in proximity to)one of the contact surfaces 508, 510, 512 activates a correspondingtouch pad 516, 518, 520. Surfaces 508 a-508 d are presets forinstructing controller 44 to adjust the mixing valve 20 and/or divertervalve 32 for a selected water temperature, flow rate, and outlet aspreviously stored in memory of the controller 44. Surface 508 e providesa lockout function and surface 508 f provides a warm-up function, asfurther detailed herein. Surfaces 510 permit a user to select a desiredwater temperature, wherein surface 510 a causes an increase intemperature and surface 510 b causes a decrease in temperature. User maysimply touch (or place finger proximity to) the desired surface 510 a,510 b to increase or decrease temperature. Alternatively, the user maysweep his or her finger in an arcuate path over the surfaces 510 a, 510b in a clockwise direction to increase temperature and in acounter-clockwise direction to decrease temperature. The display 534 isconfigured to display the desired water temperature and actual watertemperature as detected by the temperature sensor 46.

In an illustrative embodiment, the controller 44 is configured to detectand issue a low hot water warning alert to the user letting them knowwhen the water heater is running out of water. The controller 44accomplishes this low hot water detection and warning by monitoring thewater temperature via the temperature sensor 46, and the position of themixing valve 20 via the potentiometer 216. More particularly, thecontroller 44 is configured to detect a drop in measured watertemperature in outlet 30 when the mixing valve 20 is in the full hotposition. More particularly, the controller 44 is configured to providean visual and/or audible warning to the user if it determines that thehot water available from the hot water supply 22 is being depleted. Inthe illustrative embodiment, a low hot water warning is illustrativelyprovided under the following conditions:

-   -   1. The warm-up (or conserve) mode is used and a 100 degree        warm-up (or conserve) outlet water temperature is not reached        within 5 minutes (this shuts the system off instead of        displaying the actual low hot water message)    -   2. The system has been on for 5 minutes, but is not able to        maintain target outlet water temperature.    -   3. The system has been on for 5 or more minutes and has reached        target outlet water temperature, but then drops below target        outlet water temperature for 1 or more minutes.

The logic for determining if the controller 44 can maintain targettemperature is: (valve position <100%) OR (actual temp within 1 deg oftarget temp) OR (temperature increasing >2 deg. per second). If any ofthe above conditions are true, then the hot water low warning will notoccur.

The electronic shower system 10 is designed with backwards capabilitymeaning that if some time in the future, the user wants to go to amechanical system, the mixing valve 20 and the diverter valve 32 may beeasily converted from an electronic shower to a manual system withoutchanging any of the components of the rough assembly 70.

With reference to FIGS. 38-43, a further illustrative user interface 602for use with the diverter valve drive 42 is shown. The electronicdiverter user interface 602 includes a mounting plate 606 coupled to aremovable user interface module 610. The mounting plate 606 which may bethreadably attached to housing 81 (or similar wall mounted structure) bythe use of screws 607. A sealing gasket 608 on the back side of theplate 606 seals against the finished wall 56 of the shower or tubenclosure. The mounting plate 606 may be caulked against the finishedwall 56 to provide additional protection against leakage.

The user interface module 610 compresses a sealing gasket 612 to providea seal against water leaking behind the wall. The user interface module610 releasably locks into the mounting plate 606 by use of a lockingprotrusion or post 614 on the user interface module 610 being receivedwithin keyhole slots 616 in the plate 606. Tabs 618 within an escutcheon620 engage into slots 622 on the mounting plate 606. Screws 623 threadedinto the escutcheon 620 magnetically couple with magnets 624 mounted inthe mounting plate 606 to affix the escutcheon 620 to the mounting plate606 (FIG. 41). A trim piece 625 may be fixed to an outer surface of theescutcheon 620.

The diverter user interface module 610 includes multiple componentsreceived within a watertight enclosure which may be removably mounted tomounting bracket or base 606 on shower wall 56. Illustratively, a frontpanel 630 is coupled to an input member 631 through a transparentpressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) 633. The front panel 630 isillustratively formed of a translucent thermoplastic, such as an acrylicor polycarbonate. The front panel 630 includes a plurality of contactsurfaces or buttons 632, 634 to receive input from a user.

The input member 631 illustratively comprises a flexible Mylar® board636 containing conductive touch pads 638, 640 aligned with the contactsurfaces 632, 634 of the front panel 630. The touch pads 638, 640 are incommunication with electrically conductive traces (not shown).Illustratively, both the touch pads 638, 640 and the traces are formedof a transparent conductive material, such as transparent silver oraluminum. The traces couple the pads 638, 640 to a connector 642.

The contact surfaces 632, 634 and cooperating touch pads 638, 640function similar to those detailed above in connection with the mixingvalve user interface module 468. Button 632A may cause controller 44 tooperate diverter valve drive 42 to increase flow rate, button 632B maycause controller 44 to operate diverter valve drive 42 to decrease flowrate, and button 632C may cause controller 44 to operate diverter valvedrive 42 to pause flow. Button 634A may cause controller 44 to directwater to the first outlet 34, while button 634B may cause controller 44to direct water to second outlet 36.

The PSA 633 also holds an intermediate plastic mount 644 (illustrativelyformed of nylon), which receives diffusing members or lens 646, 648(illustratively formed of silicone) as well as bosses 650 that define amounting location for a printed circuit board (PCB) 652. The PCB board652 is coupled to controller 44 and supports a plurality of LEDs 653.LEDs 653 are illustratively blue. The PCB board includes a plurality ofelectrically conductive paths or traces (not shown) that providecommunication between the LEDs and a receptacle connector 654. Theconnector 642 of the board 636 is coupled to connector 654 supported bythe PCB board 652 and is in communication with the controller 44 througha connector 656 (FIG. 41).

A back case 658 (illustratively formed of nylon) completes the assemblyand may be secured to the front panel 630 by a foam seal 660 havingadhesive on opposing faces. A foam seal 662 is illustratively receivedaround the connector 656 intermediate the support panel 652 and the rearcase 658. A plurality of screws 664 may also secure the front panel 630to the back case 658 by entering from a back of the housing into bosseson the intermediate plastic mount 644. The PSA 633 and the foam seals660 and 662 prevent water leakage between the back case 658 and thefront panel 630.

With reference to FIGS. 46-48, an illustrative hand shower 52 is shownas including a handle 320 and a sprayhead 322. Water flow is configuredto selectively flow from outlet 286 of diverter valve 32 to an inlet 324in the handle 320 and to outlets 325 in the sprayhead 322. Conventionalspray mode selector buttons 326 are provided on the rear of thesprayhead 322 to control mechanical valves in the hand shower 52 foralternating spray patterns, for example between spray, stream andpulsated stream. Hand shower user interface 64 may be removably coupledto the hand shower 52 as shown in FIG. 47. More particularly,protrusions or posts 327 on the user interface 64 are configured to bereleasably coupled within keyhole slots 329 on the sprayhead 322.

With reference to FIG. 48, the hand shower user interface 64illustratively includes a housing 328 defined by a front case 330 and arear case 332 secured to the front case 330 by a plurality of screws334. A gasket 336 seals the front case 330 and rear case 332. A batterycompartment 338 receives a battery 340 and is defined by a battery cover342 removably coupled to the rear case 332 through screws 344. Thebattery 340 provides power to a control board 350, illustratively aprinted circuit board (PCB). Input buttons 352 interface with thecontrol board and include a power button 352 a, preset button A 352 b,preset button B 352 c, hot water button 352 d, cold water button 352 e,and pause/play button 352 f. The control board 350 supports atransmitter 354 for providing wireless communication with thetransceiver 227 of the controller 44.

The remote user interface 58 is shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 as including afront case 360 and a rear case 362 secured to the front case 360 by aplurality of screws 364. A gasket 366 seals the front case 360 and rearcase 362. A battery compartment 368 receives a battery 370 and isdefined by a battery cover 372 removably coupled to the rear case 362through screws 374. The battery 370 provides power to a control board380, illustratively a printed circuit board (PCB). Input buttons 382interface with the control board and include a power button 382 a,preset buttons 1-4 382 b-382 e, respectively, and warm-up button 382 f.The control board 380 supports a transmitter 384 for providing wirelesscommunication with the transceiver 227 of the controller 44. Magnets 385may be supported by the rear surface of the rear case 360 for securingfront case 360 thereto or for coupling the remote user interface 58 toan external mounting surface, such as bracket 60.

In the illustrative electronic shower system 10, there is no directmechanical connection between the main user interface 14 and flowcontrol assembly 12, particularly the drive assembly 18. A conventionalwire harness is the only thing that physically connects the userinterface 14 to the drive assembly 18 allowing installation within walls56 having considerable amount of variation in thickness. The length ofthe screws 377 will be the determining factor for how much wallthickness may be accommodated. While in the illustrative embodiment, themain user interface 14 (including mounting plate 376 and user interfacemodule 390) are mounted in axial alignment with the rough assembly 70,the user interface 14 may be mounted remotely from the rough assembly70.

The electronic shower system 10 allows for a quick change over to amechanical style valve should the electronic version not be desired downthe road. The portion of the system 10 behind the wall 56 would not needto be replaced.

While the illustrative drive assembly 18 of the electronic shower system10 is powered and controlled a microprocessor coupled to the main userinterface 14, the drive assembly 18 may be designed as a stand-aloneunit that could have its own power source and microprocessor. The driveassembly 18 may also can have multiple motors with individual shut offports (i.e. head valves) to accomplish the same functions or if volumecontrol was not important, solenoid valves can be used to turn water onand off to individual, or any combination, of ports. Should solenoidvalves be used, a screen would be needed to filter debris in the waterto protect the pilot orifices.

An illustrative method of operation of the main user interface is shownin FIGS. 46A-46J. The system may be activated from the main userinterface by input through the push button or the touch screen 399.Standard images that may be displayed on the touch screen 399 are shownin FIGS. 52-54, where FIG. 52 shows an OFF mode, FIG. 53 shows a firstON mode (with no diverter valve 32 present), and FIG. 54 shows a secondON mode (with both a diverter valve 32 and a mixing valve 20 present).

Beginning with block 1002 of FIG. 49A, if a user physically depressesthe power button when the system is off or deactivated, the touch screen399 will display an introductory image (e.g., a splash image) for apredetermined time, illustratively two seconds. At block 1006, thecontroller 44 provides for initial settings, illustratively a full or100 percent flow rate, a 100 degree water temperature, and a selectedoutlet of the main port (e.g., the first fluid outlet 34 or overheadshower 50). At block 1008, the appropriate ON mode images (FIG. 53 or54) are displayed on the user interface touch screen 399 (based uponwhether the electronic shower system 10 includes a diverter valve 32, asfurther detailed herein).

With reference now to FIGS. 49B and 49C, the method illustrativelycontinues at block 1010 should a user press one of the presets 702 a-702d on the touch screen 399. Upon depressing one of the presets 702 a-702d, a tone alert is produced through the speaker 381 by the controller 44at block 1012. At decision block 1014, the controller 44 queries whetherthe selected preset 702 a-702 d has been depressed for more than apredetermined time (e.g., three seconds). If not, then the methodcontinues to block 1016, where the predefined flow rate, watertemperature, and outlet port of the selected preset 702 a-702 d is setby the controller 44. If not previously stored by the user to a preset702 a-702 d, the default values of 100 percent flow rate, a 100° F.water temperature, and active outlet of main port 34 are selected by thecontroller 44. At block 1018, the selected preset 702 a-702 d isidentified on the display screen 399. In one illustrative embodiment,the number of the selected preset 702 a-702 d is enlarged for easyvisual identification by the user. In other embodiments, the number ofthe preset 702 a-702 d may change color, or provide some other visualindication of selection to the user.

Returning to block 1014 of FIG. 49C, should the preset 702 a-702 d bepressed for more than the predetermined time (e.g., three seconds), theprocess continues to block 1020, where the controller 44 queries whetherthe temperature measured by the temperature sensor 46 is less than 115°F. If the measured temperature is not less than 115° F., then theprocess continues to block 1022 where a tone alert is provided by thespeaker 381 and the touch screen 399 provides a pop-up image indicatingthat the temperature for the preset 702 must be less than 115° F. Thispop-up display is illustratively shown for a predetermined time, such astwo seconds. This prevents the user from defining a preset temperatureof greater than 115° F. The process then returns to decision block 1014.

If the measured temperature at decision block 1020 is less than 115° F.,the method continues at block 1024 where the controller stores to memorythe current flow rate, temperature, and outlet port to the selectedpreset 702 a-702 d on the display. At block 1026, a tone alert isprovided by the speaker 381 and the display 399 provides a pop-up imageindicating that the current flow, temperature and port conditions havebeen saved to the desired preset number 702 a-702 d. This pop-up isillustratively shown on screen 399 for a predetermined defined time(e.g., two seconds).

Returning to FIGS. 49A and 49B, at the ON mode screen display (FIG. 53or 54), should the user press a hot or temperature increase button 704 aon the touch screen 399 at block 1028, then a tone alert is provided bythe speaker 381 at 1030. At decision block 1032, if the hot button 704 ais pressed for a predetermined time (e.g., one second) or less, themixing valve 20 causes the outlet water temperature to increase onedegree Fahrenheit at block 1034. If the user presses the hot button 704a for greater than the predetermined time (e.g., one second), then themixing valve 20 causes the outlet water temperature increases rapidly inone degree increments or steps at block 1036. At block 1038, atemperature display 706 on touch screen 399 shows the requestedtemperature for a predetermined time, illustratively two seconds. Atblock 1030, the temperature display 706 returns to showing the actualwater temperature measured by the temperature sensor 46.

Returning to block 1042 of FIG. 49D, should the user press a cold ortemperature decrease button 704 b at the ON mode screen display (FIG. 53or 54), then a tone alert is provided by the speaker 381 at block 1044.At decision block 1046, if the user presses the cold button 704 b for apredetermined time (e.g., one second) or less, then the mixing valve 20causes the outlet water temperature to increase one degree Fahrenheit atblock 1048. If the user presses the cold button 704 b for more than thepredetermined time (e.g., one second), then the mixing valve 20 causesthe outlet water temperature to decrease rapidly in one degreeFahrenheit steps at block 1050. The process then continues at block1038, where the temperature display 706 shows the requested temperaturefor a predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). Thereafter, thetemperature display 706 returns to the showing the actual watertemperature measured by the temperature sensor 46.

With reference to FIGS. 49A and 49D, returning to the ON mode screendisplay of FIG. 54 at block 1008, should the user press a flow up orincrease button 708 a at block 1042, a tone alert is provided by thespeaker 381 at block 1044. As detailed above, in the illustrativeembodiment electronic shower system 10 with no diverter valve 32 asrepresented by FIG. 53, no flow rate control is provided independentfrom the mixing valve 20. Continuing at block 1046, the diverter valve32 increases the flow rate one step upwardly. As detailed above in theillustrative embodiment, three flow rates are provided by the divertervalve 32 (e.g., low, medium, high). As such, the flow rate may increasefrom low to medium, or from medium to high. At block 1048, an indicationof the selected flow rate is provided at a flow display 710 of the touchscreen 399. In the illustrative embodiment, indicator droplets may beadded to the flow display 710 to provide the user with an indication ofthe current flow rate. For example, one droplet may indicate a low flowrate, two droplets may indicate a medium flow rate, and three dropletsmay indicate a high flow rate.

By pressing a flow down or decrease button 708 b at block 1050, a tonealert is provided by speaker 381 at block 1052. The diverter valve 32causes the flow rate to decrease by one step downwardly at block 1054.More particularly, the flow rate may decrease from high to medium, orfrom medium to low. At block 1056 indicator droplets may be deleted fromthe display, again to provide feedback to the user.

Returning again to the ON mode screen display of FIG. 53 or 54 at block1008, should the user press a main (shower) port button 712 on the userinterface at block 1058, a tone alert is provided by the speaker 381 atblock 1060. At block 1062, the diverter valve 32 provides water flow tothe main port or first fluid outlet 34 at block 1062. The image of thebutton 712 on the touch screen 399 may be shown as depressed at block1064. At block 1066, should an auxiliary port button 714 be pressed,then a tone alert is provided by speaker 381 at block 1068. At block1070, the diverter valve 32 provides flow to the auxiliary port orsecond fluid outlet 36. The auxiliary port button 714 is shown depressedon the touch screen 399 at block 1072. In certain illustrativeembodiments, depressing successively depressing port buttons 712 and 714will cause the diverter valve 32 to toggle between ports or outlets 34and 36. In other illustrative embodiments, depressing port buttons 712and 714 may cause the diverter valve 32 to provide for concurrently flowthrough ports or outlets 34 and 36. The process then returns to block1008.

Returning to the ON mode screen display of FIG. 54 at block 1074, if apause/play button 716 is depressed a tone alert is provided by thespeaker 381 at block 1076. As detailed above, in the illustrativeembodiment electronic shower system 10 with no diverter valve 32 asrepresented by FIG. 53, no flow rate control (including pause/playfunctionality) is provided independent from the mixing valve 20. Theprocess continues to decision block 1078, where the controller 44determines whether water is flowing. If water is flowing, then at block1080, the flow is paused by the diverter valve 32. At block 1082, thepause/play button 716 on the touch screen 399 provides an indicationthat water is paused, illustratively by flashing. If at block 1078, itis determined that water is not flowing, then water flow is resumed bythe diverter valve 32 at block 1084. The pause/play button 716 on thetouch screen 399 is then returned to a normal display at block 1086.

With reference now to FIG. 49F, the main user interface 14 may beactivated by user contact with the touch screen 399 at block 1090. Atblock 1092, the touch screen 399 shows the splash display for apredetermined time period, illustratively for two seconds. At block1096, the initial settings are provided with a flow rate of 100 percent,a water temperature of 100° F., and the main port. At block 1096, theOFF mode screen of FIG. 52 is displayed. If a power or start button 719is subsequently pressed at block 1098 (FIG. 49A), the process continuesto block 1008 where operation may proceed as detailed above.Alternatively, at block 1100, if any of the presets 708 a-708 d aredepressed, the process proceeds to block 1016 (FIG. 49C) where operationmay continue as detailed above.

Returning to block 1096 of FIG. 49F, if at block 1102 a warm up button718 on the OFF mode display (FIG. 52) is depressed, a tone alert isprovided by the speaker 381 at block 1104. At block 1106, the ON modescreen is displayed and the controller 44 provides the defaultconditions of flow rate of 100 percent, a temperature of 100° F., andactivation of the main port 34. At block 1108, a pop-up is provided onthe display providing an indication of the “warming up” function and thetemperature measured by the temperature sensor 46. The process thencontinues to block 1110 as shown in FIG. 49G, where when the temperaturereaches 115° F., a tone alert is provided by the speaker 381 at block1112. Also at block 1112, a pop-up display is provided that indicates tothe user that the warm up is complete. This pop-up display may be shownfor a predetermined time period (e.g., three seconds) or may be removedby the user pressing an OK button the display screen 399. At block 1114,the OFF mode screen is displayed for a predetermined time period,illustratively two minutes. After two minutes, the process continues toblock 1116, where the system 10 is deactivated.

Returning to the OFF mode screen (FIG. 52) at block 1096 of FIG. 49F, ifa lock button 720 is depressed at block 1120, then a tone alert isprovided by speaker at block 1122. The screen 399 shows a locked screenindication with a five minute countdown. At this point, the user maydepress a long term lock button or an unlock button on the screen 399.By depressing the long term lock, the system 10 will be locked for anextended time period. By depressing the unlock button, the system 10will be immediately unlocked. More particularly, if the long termlock-out is pressed at decision block 1126, then at block 1128 thescreen 399 will indicate that the system 10 is locked and that theunlock button will need to be depressed for four seconds in order tounlock the system 10. If the unlock button is pressed for more than fourseconds at block 1130, the system 10 returns to block 1128. If theunlock button is depressed for greater than four seconds, the system 10continues to block 1132 where the controller 44 unlocks and the OFF modescreen is shown for two minutes. After two minutes, the system 10 isdeactivated at block 1134.

Returning to decision block 1126 of FIG. 49G, if the long term lock outis not pressed, then at decision block 1136 the controller 44 determineswhether the unlock has been pressed for more than four seconds. If yes,then the controller 44 unlocks the screen 399 and the OFF mode displayis shown for two minutes. If not, then the controller 44 proceeds toblock 1140 where a five minute elapsed time begins. After five minutesat block 1140, the controller 44 unlocks and the OFF mode display isshown for two minutes at block 1132. Again, after two minutes, thesystem 10 is deactivated at block 1134.

Returning to FIG. 49C, at block 1142, if the power button 403 ispressed, a tone alert is provided by the speaker 381 at block 1144. Atblock 1146, the flow is reduced to zero by the diverter valve 32. Atblock 1147, the OFF mode display is shown for two minutes. At block1148, the system 10 is deactivated after two minutes.

With reference to FIG. 49H, by depressing a set up button 722 on the OFFmode display at block 1150, the controller 44 enters a set upsubroutine. At block 1152, language may be selected by scrolling througha menu display on screen 399. Input blocks such as Back, Next, and Donemay be pressed by the user. Depressing the Back button will return tothe OFF mode display, depressing the Done button will cause thecontroller to display the OFF mode display for a predetermined timeperiod, illustratively two minutes, at block 1154 (FIG. 49J). At block1156, the system 10 turns off or deactivates. Depressing the Next buttoncauses the set up subroutine to continue at block 1158.

At block 1158, brightness of the touch screen 399 may be set betweenhigh, medium and low. Again, user inputs of Back, Next and Done may beinput by the user by touching the screen 399. By depressing the Nextbutton, the set up subroutine continues at block 1160, where temperaturesettings may be controlled.

At block 1162 clock criteria may be set. Again, user inputs of Back,Next and Done may be input by the user by touching the screen 399. Atblock 1164, criteria of the user interface touch screen 399 may bedetermined. More particularly, the escutcheon shape and themes may beset. For example, the escutcheon shape may be determined either squareor oval, while the theme may be contemporary or traditional.

At block 1166, audible tone volume for speaker 381 may be set from off,low, medium or high. At block 1168, wireless interface controls may beset. More particularly, the remote user interface 58 and/or the handshower user interface 64 may be synched with the main user interface 14.When synching the remote user interface 58, the process continues toblock 1174. When synching the hand shower user interface 64, the processcontinues to block 1170.

Upon completing the wireless control synchronization at block 1158 anddepressing the Next button, block 1176 provides for input to eitherrestart set up or exit set up. Upon exiting set up, the process proceedsto block 1154 where the OFF mode display is shown for a predeterminedtime, illustratively two minutes. The system 10 then deactivates atblock 1156.

With reference now to FIGS. 50A-50D, an illustrative operation of thehand shower user interface 64 is shown. The method illustratively beginsby the user pressing the power button 352 a at block 1202, or one of thepreset buttons A and B 352 b and 352 c at block 1204. At block 1206, thecontroller 44 queries whether the system 10 is on. If the system 10 ison, then the process continues to decision block 1208 where thecontroller 44 queries whether the power button 352 a was initiallypressed. If the power button 352 a was initially pressed, then theprocess continues to block 1210 where the flow rate is set to zero. Atblock 1212, the controller 44 displays on the main user interface screen399 the OFF mode screen (FIG. 52) for a predetermined time,illustratively two minutes. After a two minute time period, the system10 deactivates at block 1214. Returning to decision block 1208, if thepower button 352 a was not initially pressed, the process continues todecision block 1216 where the controller 44 queries whether theauxiliary or hand shower port 36 is active. If yes, then the processcontinues to decision block 1218 where the controller 44 determineswhether the selected preset button 352 b or 352 c has been pressed formore than three seconds. If yes, the process continues to block 1220,where the controller 44 queries whether the temperature is less than115° F. If no, the process continues to block 1222 where a tone alert isprovided by the speaker 381 and the display 399 provides a pop-upindicating the preset must be less than 115° F. This pop-up is displayedfor a predetermined period, illustratively two seconds. The process thenreturns to decision block 1218.

Returning to decision block 1220, if the temperature is less than 115°F., the process continues to block 1224 where the current flow rate,temperature and port are stored to the pressed preset button 352 b or352 c. At block 1226, a tone alert is provided by the speaker 381 and apop-up is displayed on screen 399 indicating that one of the selectedpresets 352 b and 352 c has been saved. This pop-up is shown for apredetermined period, illustratively two seconds. The process thencontinues to block 1228 where the ON screen is displayed and thecontroller 44 operates the drive assembly 18 with the preset settings.

Returning to decision block 1206 of FIG. 50A, if the controller 44determines that the system 10 is not on, then the controller 44 displaysthe splash screen for a predetermined time period, illustratively twoseconds at block 1230. Continuing at block 1232, the controllerdetermines whether the power button 352 a was initially pressed. If yes,then the process continues to block 1228 where the ON mode screen isdisplayed on the screen 399 and the controller 44 operates the driveassembly 18 with the initial settings of a 100 percent flow rate, a 100°Fahrenheit temperature, and auxiliary or hand shower port 36.

At block 1246, if the user depresses the cold button 352 e, then theprocess continues to block 1248 where the controller 44 queries whetherthe button has been pressed for more than one second. If no, then atblock 1250, the temperature increases one degree Fahrenheit. If yes,then the temperature increases rapidly in one degree increments or stepsat block 1252. The system then continues to block 1242 where thetemperature display shows a requested temperature for a predeterminedtime period, illustratively two seconds. At block 1244, the temperaturedisplay returns to the actual water temperature from the temperaturesensor. The system then returns to block 1228 where the ON screen isdisplayed.

Turning now to FIG. 50C, if the user presses the hot button 352 d on thehand shower user interface 64 at block 1234, then the controller 44queries at decision block 1236 whether the hot button 352 d has beenpressed for more than one second. If no, then the controller 44 causesmixing valve 20 to increase temperature one degree Fahrenheit at block1238. If yes, then the temperature increases rapidly in one degreeincrements or steps. At block 1242, the temperature display 706 onscreen 399 shows the requested temperature for a predetermined timeperiod illustratively two seconds. At block 1244, the temperaturedisplay 706 returns to displaying the actual water temperature from thetemperature sensor 46. The process then returns to block 1228 where theON mode screen is displayed on the screen 399.

Referring now to FIG. 50D, at block 1254, if the user presses thepause/play button 352 f, the controller 44 at block 1256 determineswhether water is flowing. If no, then the controller 44 determineswhether the diverter valve 32 is present. If no diverter valve 32 ispresent the diverter cable is shorted to the PCB board. At block 1260,the flow rate is provided at 100 percent, and at block 1262, the pop-updisplay of “hand shower pause” is removed from the main user interfacescreen 399. Returning to block 1258, if the diverter valve 32 ispresent, then at block 1264, water flow is resumed at the diverter valve32. At block 1266, the pause/play display on the screen 399 changes, thesystem then returns to block 1228, and the ON mode screen is displayed.Returning to decision block 1256, if water is flowing, the processcontinues to decision block 1268, where the controller 44 determineswhether the diverter valve 32 is present. If the diverter valve 32 isnot present, then the flow is set at zero and such information is storeduntil the system 10 is turned off or the pause/play button 352 f ispressed. At block 1272, a pop-up display on the screen 399 provides anindication to the user that the hand shower 52 is paused and to eitherpress the play/pause button 352 f on the hand shower or OK on the mainuser interface screen 399 to resume water flow. The process thencontinues to block 1228 where the ON mode screen is displayed on screen399.

Returning to decision block 1268, if the diverter valve 32 is present,the controller 44 continues to block 1274 where water flow is paused atthe diverter valve 32. At block 1276, the pause/play display changes onthe main user interface display screen 399. The process then returns toblock 1228 where the ON mode screen is displayed on the screen 399.

Referring now to FIGS. 51A-51C, an illustrative method of operation ofthe remote user interface 58 is shown. Beginning with block 1302 of FIG.52B, if any button 382 on the remote 158 is pressed, the system proceedsto decision block 1304. At decision block 1304, the controller 44queries whether the system 10 is on or active. If yes, then thecontroller 44 causes speaker 381 to generate a tone alert and a pop-upon the display screen 399 indicating that the remote button 382 has beenpressed and inquiring whether the user wishes to ignore the remoteactivation. If yes is depressed on the touch screen 399 at block 1308,the process continues to block 1310. At block 1310, the currenttemperature, flow rate and port continue. If no, then the processcontinues to block 1312, where the controller 44 determines whether oneof the preset buttons 382 b-382 e was initially pressed. If yes, then atblock 1314, the selected preset button flow rate temperature and port isactivated. Again the default preset flow is 100 percent, temperature is100° F., and port is main 34. At block 1316, an indicator of theselected preset is provided on the display screen 399, illustratively anenlarged number. The process then returns to block 1302.

Returning to decision block 1312, if one of the preset buttons 382 b-382e was not initially pressed, then the process proceeds to decision block1318. At block 1318, the controller decides whether the power button 382a was initially pressed. If yes, then at block 1320, since the system 10is determined to be ON at block 1304, the flow rate is reduced to zero.At block 1322, the controller 44 displays the OFF mode screen for apredetermined time period, illustratively two minutes. The process thencontinues to block 1324 where the system 10 is deactivated.

Returning to decision block 1318, if the power button 382 a was notinitially pressed, then the process continues to decision block 1326. Atblock 1326, the controller 44 determines whether the warm up button 382f was initially pressed. If yes, then the controller 44 displays the ONmode screen at block 1328. At block 1328, the flow rate is set at 100percent, temperature at 100° F., and the main port 34 activated. Atblock 1330, the controller 44 provides a pop-up on the display on screen399 indicating that the system is “warming up” and displaying thecurrent temperature. At block 1332, once the measured temperaturereaches 100° F., then a tone alert is provided by speaker 381 at block1334. Also at block 1334, the controller 44 provides a pop-up at thedisplay screen 399 indicating that the “warm up is complete.” Thisdisplay also provides for user input through an OK button on screen 399for a predetermined time period, illustratively three seconds. At block1336, the OFF mode screen is displayed on screen 399 for a predeterminedtime period, illustratively two minutes. At block 1338, the system 10 isdeactivated.

Returning to block 1304, if the system 10 is not on following thepressing of button 382 on the remote 58, the process continues to block1340 where a tone alert is provided by speaker 381 and an introductoryor splash screen is displayed on screen 399 for a predetermined timeperiod, illustratively two seconds. At block 1342, the controller 44queries whether the power button 382 a was initially pressed. If yes,then the ON mode screen is displayed on screen 399 at block 1344, andthe initial settings of 100 percent flow rate, 100° F. temperature, andmain port 34 are selected by the controller 44.

Returning to decision block 1342, if the power button 382 a was notinitially pressed, then the process continues to block 1346 where thecontroller 44 queries whether one of the preset buttons 382-382 e wasinitially pressed. If yes, then the selected preset flow, temperatureand port are selected. Again the default is 100 percent flow rate, 100°F. temperature, and main port 34. At block 1350, an indicator of theselected preset is provided on the main display screen 399,illustratively by enlarging the selected preset number.

Returning to block 1346, if one of the preset buttons 382 b-382 e wasnot initially pressed, then the process continues to block 1352 wherethe controller determines whether the warm up button 382 f was initiallypressed. If yes, then at block 1354 the ON mode screen display isprovided on screen 399 with the default settings of 100 percent flowrate, 100° F. temperature, and main port 34. At block 1356, thecontroller 44 provides a pop-up “warming up” on the display screen 399and also shows the current temperature. At block 1358, once thetemperature reaches 100° F., then the process continues to block 1360where a tone alert is provided by speaker 381 and the display pop-up onscreen 399 changes to “warm up complete.” Also at block 1360, an OKinput button is provided for a predetermined time period, illustrativelythree seconds. At block 1360, the OFF mode screen is shown on screen 399for a predetermined time period, illustratively two minutes. At block1364, the system 10 is deactivated.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1. An electronic shower system comprising: a mixing valve fluidlycoupled to a hot water supply and a cold water supply; a mixing valvedrive operably coupled to the mixing valve for controlling theproportion of water from the hot water supply and the cold water supplyprovided to an outlet; a controller in electrical communication with themixing valve drive; and wherein the mixing valve drive includes anelectric motor, a drive gear operably coupled to the motor, a drivengear operably coupled to the mixing valve, a transmission coupling thedrive gear with the driven gear, and a manual override configured todisengage the transmission coupling to the drive gear in response tomanual engagement from a user.
 2. The electronic shower system of claim1, wherein the manual override includes a button including internalsplines and external splines, the internal splines rotatably engagingwith external splines supported by a drive shaft of the motor, theexternal splines in a first axial position rotatably engaging withinternal splines supported by the drive gear, and the external splinesin a second axial position disengaged from the internal splinessupported by the drive gear.
 3. The electronic shower system of claim 1,further comprising a position sensor operably coupled to the mixingvalve drive for detecting a position of the mixing valve, the positionsensor in electrical communication with the controller.
 4. Theelectronic shower system of claim 3, wherein the transmission includes abelt, and the position sensor includes a potentiometer operably coupledto a position gear driven in motion by the belt.
 5. The electronicshower system of claim 4, wherein the mixing valve drive furtherincludes a spring biased tensioner operably coupled to the belt.
 6. Theelectronic shower system of claim 1, further comprising: a divertervalve fluidly coupled to the mixing valve; and a diverter valve driveoperably coupled to the diverter valve for controlling the delivery ofwater from the mixing valve to at least one of a plurality of outlets,the diverter valve drive in electrical communication with thecontroller.
 7. The electronic shower system of claim 6, wherein thediverter valve directs water to a selected outlet and the flow rate ofwater delivered to the selected outlet.
 8. The electronic shower systemof claim 1, wherein the mixing valve drive includes an access opening inthe driven gear for manual rotation of the driven gear.
 9. Theelectronic shower system of claim 8, wherein the access opening isconfigured to receive a tool to rotate the driven gear.
 10. Theelectronic shower system of claim 1, further comprising a batteryoperably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configuredto detect the loss of external power and the battery is configured tooperate the mixing valve drive a predetermined time following thedetected loss of external power.
 11. An electronic shower systemcomprising: a mixing valve fluidly coupled to a hot water supply and acold water supply; a mixing valve drive operably coupled to the mixingvalve for controlling the proportion of water from the hot water supplyand the cold water supply provided to an outlet; a controller inelectrical communication with the mixing valve drive; and a batteryoperably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configuredto detect the loss of external power and the battery is configured tooperate the mixing valve drive a predetermined time following thedetected loss of external power.
 12. The electronic shower system ofclaim 11, wherein the controller is configured to cause the mixing valvedrive to close the mixing valve at a predetermined time after thedetected loss of external power.
 13. The electronic shower system ofclaim 12, wherein the controller deactivates the mixing valve drive whenno external power is detected and the mixing valve is closed.
 14. Theelectronic shower system of claim 11, the mixing valve drive includes anelectric motor, a drive gear operably coupled to the motor, a drivengear operably coupled to the mixing valve, a transmission coupling thedrive gear with the driven gear, and a manual override configured todisengage the transmission coupling to the drive gear in response tomanual engagement from a user.
 15. The electronic shower of claim 14,wherein the manual override includes a button including internal splinesand external splines, the internal splines rotatably engaging withexternal splines supported by a drive shaft of the motor, the externalsplines in a first axial position rotatably engaging with internalsplines supported by the drive gear, and the external splines in asecond axial position disengaged from the internal splines supported bythe drive gear.
 16. The electronic shower system of claim 11, furthercomprising: a diverter valve fluidly coupled to the mixing valve; and adiverter valve drive operably coupled to the diverter valve forcontrolling the delivery of water from the mixing valve to at least oneof a plurality of outlets, the diverter valve drive in electricalcommunication with the controller.
 17. The electronic shower system ofclaim 16, wherein the diverter valve directs water to a selected outletand the flow rate of water delivered to the selected outlet.
 18. Theelectronic shower system of claim 11, wherein the mixing valve driveincludes an access opening in the driven gear for manual rotation of thedriven gear.
 19. The electronic shower system of claim 18, wherein theaccess opening is configured to receive a tool to rotate the drivengear.
 20. An electronic shower system comprising: a mixing valve fluidlycoupled to a hot water supply and a cold water supply; a mixing valvedrive operably coupled to the mixing valve for controlling theproportion of water from the hot water supply and the cold water supplyprovided to an outlet; a diverter valve fluidly coupled to the mixingvalve; a diverter valve drive operably coupled to the diverter valve forcontrolling the delivery of water from the mixing valve to at least oneof a plurality of outlets; a controller operably coupled to the mixingvalve drive and the diverter valve drive; and a user interface includinga temperature input portion and a flow rate input portion, thetemperature input portion configured to cause the controller to controlthe mixing valve, and the flow rate input portion configured to causethe controller to control the diverter valve.
 21. The electronic showersystem of claim 20, wherein the diverter valve includes a rotatablevalve plate configured to be moved into a plurality of rotationalpositions to direct flow from an inlet to at least one selected firstand second fluid outlets and to control flow rate to the at least oneselected outlet.
 22. The electronic shower system of claim 21, whereinthe diverter valve includes a second valve plate cooperating with therotatable valve plate and including a first port fluidly coupled to thefirst fluid outlet and a second port fluidly coupled to the second fluidoutlet, the rotatable valve plate including an opening in selectivefluid communication with at least one of the first port and the secondport based upon the rotational position of the rotatable valve plate.23. The electronic shower of claim 22, wherein the rotational positionsof the rotatable valve plate define a high flow rate of water throughthe first fluid outlet, a high flow rate of water through the secondfluid outlet, a medium flow rate of water through the first fluidoutlet, a medium flow rate of water through the second fluid outlet, alow flow rate of water through the first fluid outlet, and a low flowrate of water through the second fluid outlet.
 24. The electronic showerof claim 23, wherein rotational position of the rotatable valve platefurther defines no flow through either the first fluid outlet or thesecond fluid outlet.
 25. An electronic shower system comprising: amixing valve fluidly coupled to a hot water supply and a cold watersupply; a mixing valve drive operably coupled to the mixing valve forcontrolling the proportion of water from the hot water supply and thecold water supply provided to an outlet; a controller in electricalcommunication with the mixing valve drive; a main user interface modulein electrical communication with the controller; and a remote userinterface in wireless communication with the controller, wherein thecontroller provides priority to operation of the main user interfacemodule over the remote user interface.
 26. The electronic shower systemof claim 25, wherein user input from the remote user interface may beoverridden by user input from the main user interface module if thecontroller determines that the main user interface module is active whenuser input is received by the remote user interface.
 27. The electronicshower system of claim 26, wherein the user input from the remote userinterface causes the controller to generate an inquiry on the main userinterface module for the user to accept the input from the remote userinterface.
 28. The electronic shower system of claim 25, furthercomprising a temperature sensor positioned downstream from the mixingvalve and in communication with the controller, wherein the controllerprovides a warm up function based upon input from the temperaturesensor.